Bluehost vs. Hostgator vs. Godaddy or??? Advice Please!

Hey all you fabulous techies out there! I am looking to purchase a domain name, either an informational or ecommerce site (haven't decided) and may need to purchase more domains that are similar in name to "corner" the market I am looking at.

I currently use Bluehost on an old website of mine, but my web guru friend has said he would recommend Hostgator (he likes to buy domain names when he thinks of any cool idea) LOL!

I see Godaddy deals on here all the time though.

What is the best value out there with reliable service?

I left godaddy for namecheap and so far they've been very good and if you get a deal that they have on here from time to time it makes an excellent value.

I just renewed a bunch of domains. IF you will be doing hosting at your registrar, then go with a bigger company for the tech support. A lot of hosting plans at other companies (used to use midphase, may be worth a look) also include a domain name etc with the yearly, so that may be a better route to go?

I left Godaddy for www.hover.com and have never looked back. Prices are slightly more expensive $2 maybe, but its such a better experience. They don't try and get you to buy stuff you don't need or don't want. Its not a 10 step checkout process. Support is in the USA and they are very nice, no sales people. When I transferred domains they even did it all for me. I know how to do it myself but it was nice to not have to deal with it. It worked flawlessly. Highly recommended. If you are just registering one domain then price doesn't matter much. Remember Godaddys prices alot of times only apply to new customers or are for the first year, second year is pretty much the same price as others.

thanks for all the advice guys! I'll check those ones out too...

I use namecheap.com for domain registrations but yes I love Hostgator for the web host packages. I do like Bluehost as well but only consider them for business purposes, not personal use.

1. I use separate companies for domains vs hosting and recommend others do the same rather than mix them up.

2. For domain registration, godaddy works but I don't support them. Use any other registrar that are well known and trusted. A few others have recommended namecheap here which works fine.

3. For hosting, if you're looking for strictly shared hosting (the lowest kind but also the cheapest kind), among the ones you listed, by a landslide Bluehost.

My domains are registered through Namecheap and sites are hosted by Hostgator. I've been very pleased with both thus far. I'd never let the same company have control over both the domains and the sites.

I've used a few, Bluehost is my current (and favorite).

It's already been said by torrention, but I also would like to add that I recommend not doing domain/hosting at the same place. Giving too much control to one company can have some nasty consequences. As for who I recommend...

Domains, whoever is the cheapest. Normally godaddy or namecheap.

Hosting... For "bigger sites" that already have heavy traffic, I go with an "unlimited" company. Normally site5.com or hostgator.com. Once traffic gets "too big" for those (unlimited bandwidth doesn't mean unlimited bandwidth, you WILL get booted if you're getting 5000+ visitors a day and using 1000gb bandwidth for example lol), I normally opt for a vps or dedicated server through hostgator or hostdime.. For smaller sites (1000 or less visitors a day), I go with imeanwebhosting.com (a local business, I like the "treat you like family" touch that small local businesses have). site5.com and hostgator.com will run you roughly $80/year, and imeanwebhosting.com will run you about $50 a year (though I posted a deal last month that is still active for one year for $3.83, and the recurring years for like $24).

Good luck! I have a little under 300 active sites, 50 or so of which are "high traffic", so I know a bit about the business! lol. Let me know if you have any questions! =)

I am using hotspot for availing alternative Domain address. I am OK with this.

Quote from Bethgzus : Good luck! I have a little under 300 active sites, 50 or so of which are "high traffic", so I know a bit about the business! lol. Let me know if you have any questions! =)

Thank you EVERYBODY for the feedback! So helpful! I think I will try namecheap for registrations and hostgater for hosting...

Quote from dancergrrrl3 : Thank you EVERYBODY for the feedback! So helpful! I think I will try namecheap for registrations and hostgater for hosting...

Let us know how it goes!

Quote from brbubba : Let us know how it goes!

thanks I will! I just purchased a domain from namecheap and signed up for the baby plan on hostgator...